A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Nella since 1880
Babies named Nella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1927, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nella's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 125 |
| 1890s | 147 |
| 1900s | 176 |
| 1910s | 463 |
| 1920s | 656 |
| 1930s | 619 |
| 1940s | 412 |
| 1950s | 285 |
| 1960s | 183 |
| 1970s | 89 |
| 1980s | 31 |
| 1990s | 18 |
| 2000s | 172 |
| 2010s | 597 |
| 2020s | 401 |
Meaning & origin
Nella first appeared on U.S. records in 1880, peaking in 1881. After declining for much of the 20th century, the name has been rising again since 1995. In 2025, it ranked 2,822, with a 1-in-26,788 frequency. Nella's top states historically include Michigan and California. The name is a classic diminutive that has reemerged as a fresh vintage choice, appealing to parents seeking a short, melodic name with historical depth.
Nella originated as a diminutive of older names such as Helen (from Greek Helene, meaning 'torch' or 'bright') and Eleanor (possibly from the Provençal Aliénor, meaning 'the other Aenor' or from Greek helios, 'sun'). In Italian, Nella frequently serves as a short form of Antonella, derived from Anthony. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, often as a standalone given name.
Where Nella is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nella” around the world
Where Nella lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nel, Nellie
Sibling names for Nella
Names that share Nella's style, for a brother or sister.
